Spring 2008 Minutes
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Semi-Annual Meeting
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hedges, The Commons
Lisa Naaktgeboren ’91 – Presiding
Attending:
Lisa Naaktgeboren ’90, President
Allan Ruter ’76, President-Elect
Joseph Campanelli ’69, Past President
Anna-Doretta Dilley Riley ’90
Mark Dohnalek ’82
Mary Elliott ’98
Corrie Root Grummon ’70
Kathryn Falb Gutz ’57
Andrea Herrera ’85
RJ Holmes ’99
Fred Holtz ’86
Mark Hudson ’99
Mary Jo Huebner ’88
Jan Lansing Murphy ’83
Michael Mudlaff ’88
Lynn Ross Cope ’87
Linda Spies Schilling ’69
Robyn Schwab ’07
Bill Smale ’75
Roger Stigers ’65
Daniel Wilson ’66
John Yeager ’74
Absent:
Kayla Sorgenfrey Buck ’05
Andrew Peternel ’05
Rebecca Roberg ’06
Todd Watson ’93
Kate Schlemmer Watson ’95
Staff:
Les Garner - President
Peter Wilch ’94, Vice President for Alumni and College Advancement
Lisa White - Alumni Director
Jackie Stewart, Alumni Programs Coordinator
Mary Rettig, Director of College Advancement
Jennifer Boettger, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni
Dee Ann Rexroat ’82 - Director of College Communications
Jayne Swanson, Director of Career Services
Sharon Grice, Senior Associate Director of Admission
I. Meeting called to order by Lisa Naaktgeboren
• Welcome new members
Mark Dohnalek ’82, Corrie Root Grummon ’70, Kathryn Falb Gutz ’57, Mary Jo Huebner ’88, Michael Mudlaff ’88, and Bill Smale ’75
II. Issues of the Day from President Les Garner:
Les took the opportunity to announce that DeeAnn Rexroat ’82 was just made Citizen of the Year.
Les commended the programs and Alumni that helped to bring speakers to Cornell this school year and the importance of this for the students.
• During the caucus Cornell became a hot-spot for canidiates such as, Sen. Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton), and Gov. Bill Richardson.
• In January The Second City performed in King Chapel. The following day 16 students were lucky enough to be selected to take a one-day improv class from members of The Second City.
• The inspiration for the hit movie Patch Adams spoke on “Humor and Health,” April 9th in King Chapel. Admission is free and open to the public.Adams ’ lecture is part of an annual series sponsored by the Cornell program Dimensions: The Center for the Science and Culture of Healthcare. The series addresses the interdisciplinary areas of science, the humanities and the social sciences.
• Professor Kevin Murphy of the University of Chicago is one of the leading academic economists in the United States. He is the George J. Stigler Distinguished Service Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics, and the Graduate School of Business, at The University of Chicago. He was on campus April 22nd and spoke in Ringer Recital Studio in Armstrong Hall on “The Value of Improvement in the Health and Longevity”. This was in thanks to the Berry Center and the programming there.
• In May after the board meeting George Stephanopoulos journalist, author, and commentator spoke on “Politics: The Art of the Impossible,” at King Chapel. Stephanopoulos’ presentation is the third in the Delta Phi Rho Centennial endowment lecture series.
Les gave an update on the Campaign that over 79 million had been raised out of the 92 million dollar campaign. He also felt the kick off receptions held in Denver, Des Moines, Arizona, and Chicago went very well. In thanks to the fund that have been raised through the campaign we were already going to see progress this summer on campus with the new roof on the Library; Pfeiffer Hall renovation; Wade House will become Peter Paul Luce Admissions Center with the new addition; In the beginning on 2009 Rood House will be renovated and become Paul Scott Alumni Center housing Alumni and College Advancement and Communication staff. The Commons will be renovated in the next 18 months and West Science is still being pursed. Also, two new faculty positions will start this nest school year in the Biology and Theatre Departments.
In conclusion Les thanks the Alumni Board for the important role they play in the success of the campaign events, help during Homecoming and connecting people with the college.
Lisa Naaktgenboren thanked President Garner for taking the time to speak to the Alumni Board.
III. Ice Breaker: If your life was a book what would the title be?
The interesting part that came out of all of the title given was that as board members described their books Cornell was the foundation of at least one chapter.
IV. Approval of the Oct. 20, 2007 minutes: Moved by RJ Holmes, seconded by Fred Holtz, approved.
V. Board Elections: Tim Wynes was nominated to fill Jim Coddingtons spot on the Board, Unanimous vote.
VI. Gift in Kind Policy: Peter Wilch and Jennifer Boettger
At the Trustees meeting in May the Gift in Kind Policy will be approved. All board members were given the policy and a copy of the form that will need to be filled out. Gift in Kind contributions will be able to be tracked on the currant database.
• Peter briefly spoke to the board about talking points and laying a foundation to engage and encourage other Alumni back to campus when the board is helping with calling during events.
VII. Trustee Reports:
Student Enrollment-Anna Doretta Dilley Riley
The new Director of Athletics, John Cochrane, was announced.
Alumni and College Advancement-Joe Campanelli
The announcement of the three new hires: Lisa White, Alumni Director; Scott Rose, Assistance Director of Development; Trish Kohl, Annual Fund Director.
Business Affairs-Mark Hudson
Trustees are please in the progress of the campaign and are working with an out side source on making the Endowment more diverse.
VIII. Break: 10:40 a.m.
After the break Jan Lansing Murphy ask everyone to take a moment of silence and give positive thoughts for Greg Morrissey ’82. He was getting results back on his cancer treatments after having his arm and shoulder removed.
IX. Alumni Board President Goals-Lisa Naaktgeboren;
Lisa started off by letting the board know that her passion for Cornell and to serve Cornell is strong: A student from 1986-1990; Young Trustee from 1990-1994; Alumni Board from 2001 to present.
• Leadership through service and service through leadership:
We have been chosen to serve through commitment, participation and collaboration
• Measure our impact: Take the time to get smart about the business of the College. Attend regular meetings and participate in subcommittee initiatives. Low effort, high impact.
• Care Deeply: Cornell as an institution; students and alumni; about each other, building relationships.
• Think Green: email materials to each other.
• Leave a legacy: How will your service on the Alumni Board be remembered?
X. By Laws: Updates were moved by Lisa Naatgeboren, seconded Mark Hudson, approved.
This summer by the exec. committee By Laws will be reviewed.
XI. Overview of Strategic Plan: Allan Ruter
Allan recognized Julia Gutz who originally put the strategic plan together and how well written it was. Allan advised each committee to review their section and to bring back any changes that need to be made this fall.
XII. 11:20 a.m. Break for Committee Meetings:
Communications Hedges Conference Room
Student Assistance Shaw Lounge
College Advancement The Ratt
XIII. Lunch: Harlan Dining Room
Admissions report: Jonathan Stroud, VP for Enrollment, Dean of Admissions
• Enrollment Report and New Student Profile for the Cornell College Class of 2012
The new student Enrollment of 372 meets the budget goal of 370 students and includes:
Total Applications: 3,179
Total Admitted Students: 1,329
Total Enrolled: 372
Students from Iowa: 19%
Students of Color: 10%
International Students: 5%
• Academic Profile
GPA Middle 50%: 3.10-3.85
ACT Middle 50%: 24-29
SAT Middle 50%: 1160-1310
~ACT Middle 50%: 24-29
Average GPA: 3.44
Average ACT: 26.64
Average SAT: 1240
Average ~ACT: 26.8
• 27% rank in top 10% of their class; 53% rank in the top 25% of their class.
• The class includes 13 valedictorians, 7 salutatorians and 50 students who held a 4.0 or better grade point average
• Diversity Profile
The 372 New Students for the Fall of 2009 represent 38 States, Washington DC and 7 foreign countries
Iowa 19%
Illinois 19%
Colorado 9%
Minnesota 8%
Wisconsin 6%
Missouri 5%
California 3%
Texas 3%
Washington 2%
Oregon 2%
Massachusetts 2%
Nebraska 2%
Caucasian 70%
African-Amer 2%
Asian Amer 2%
Amer Indian 1%
Hispanic 4%
International 5%
Multiracial 1%
Unknown 18%
XIV. Updates from Barbara Christie-Pope and Bobbi Buckner Bentz with Dimensions.
Barbara and Bobbi gave an overview of what Dimensions is about and explained about some programs the students were involved in through out the school year.
Go to http://www.cornellcollege.edu/dimensions/internships-and-operation-walk/index.shtml for future information and to see what opportunities Dimensions provides for Cornell students.
XV. Monica Davis Lyons spoke about the Berry Center.
Monica highlighted on the Berry Centers mission which includes:
• Business enriched courses
• Distinguished visitors
• Public Policy
• Off campus courses.
Student Academic Initiatives:
• Academic Scholarships
• Internships
• Fellowships
• Reading Groups
• Off Campus Trips
• Graduate Study Preparation
• Student Faculty Research
• Resource Center
For more information on the Berry Center go to:
http://www.cornellcollege.edu/berry-center/about/index.shtml
Monica finished by adding the Alumni Board can help by recommending profile suggestions for possible distinguished visitors and by volunteering their own time, talent, and treasures.
XVI. RJ Holmes gave an update on Cornell’s Fellows Program.
He reported that in the 3 ½ years since the Fellows Program started 90 students have been part of the program. The Pre Law Programs is being well received and used by the student body.
For more in formation the Fellows Program go to:
http://www.cornellcollege.edu/cornell-fellows/about/index.shtml
XVII. Committee Reports:
a. Communications: Lynn Ross Cope reported
Lynn wanted to take the time to remind other committees to look at the whole strategic plan and know what the other committees are doing.
The awards for Homecoming are as follows:
• Distinguished Achievement Award- Aleta Grillos Trauger ’68
• Leadership and Service Award-Gilbert Drendel ’58
• Young Alumni Award-Jason Kolowski ’98
• Honorary Alumni-David Loebsack
o Dee Ann Rexroat announced that the Communications Committee also wanted to nominate the following for Honorary Alumni:
Lisa White, Alumni Director
Jackie Stewart, Alumni Programs Coordinator
Motion Lynn Ross Cope, seconded Roger Stigers, and passed.
*For full Communication minutes see attachment.
b. Student Assistance Committee: Jan Lansing Murphy reported
Sharon Grice from Admissions reported that last year there were 18 college fairs that alumni helped with and that this year there will be 31.
*For full Student Assistance minutes see attachment.
c. Alumni and College Advancement Committee: Fred Holtz reported
Fred took the time to remind the Alumni Board how important the phone calling is for the campaign events. Discussion was also brought up on the follow up after an event in the Alumni and College Advancement Office.
Trish Kohl reported that things were on track for the Annual Fund.
*For full Alumni and College Advance minutes see attachment.
XVIII. Other Business: Lisa White, Alumni Director
• Regarding any changes with the Strategic plan each committee should bring recommended changes to the fall meeting for approval.
• An administrative flow chart was handed out to help each committee understand how each division operates.
• Lisa reminded everyone to turn in the Alum Chum forms. Every Alumni Board member will be an Alum Chum with a student during the 2008-2009 school year. This program in through the CASA organization.
• Lisa gave out some instruction for the Legacy Reception following the Board Meeting.
This is a time for Students to network with the Alumni Board.
XIX. Meeting Adjourned: Mark Hudson first, Joe Campanelli second, 4:15 p.m.
Cornell College Alumni Association Board of Directors
Communications Committee Minutes
Friday, April 25, 2008
1. Alumni Association Awards and Nominees
A brief overview of the awards was discussed. Prior to the meeting, the committee voted on the slate of nominees via email and those recipients were also reviewed. Honorary Alumni award will go to Congressman David Loebsack, Emeritus Professor of Political Science if he is able to attend Homecoming in October. To date he has been unable to return for this presentation.
Distinguished Achievement award will be presented at the Homecoming Convocation to Aleta Grillos Trauger ’68.
There will be one Leadership and Service recipient – Gib Drendel of the class of ‘58.
There will be one Young Alumni recipient award. Jason Kolowski ‘98 will be awarded at Homecoming.
2. Introduction of Blake Rasmussen
Dee Ann Rexroat – staff liaison – introduced Blake Rasmussen ’05 the new Media Relations Director. Blake presented the new media plan as well as answered questions. Blake is passionate, competent and aggressively working for Cornell.
3. Misc. Materials
Dee Ann Rexroat handed out materials including the Campaign Communications Plan – Broad Overview, Media/Marketing Communications Plan and award descriptions and updates.
4. Honorary Alumni Awards
Lynn Ross Cope suggested that we nominate both Jackie Stewart and Lisa White to receive the Honorary Alumni award at Homecoming. During the board meeting, Lisa Naaktgeboren made a motion and it was unanimous so Jackie and Lisa will be recognized at Homecoming. Everyone is very excited about this.
5. Suggestions for the full board
Lynn encouraged the full board to assist with nominations of alumni and encouraged the board to become familiar with the forms on-line for nomination. Lynn also encouraged the committee and board to attend the Homecoming Convocation.
Respectfully submitted by:
Lynn Ross Cope – May 7, 2008
MINUTES
Cornell College Alumni Board of Directors
Student Assistance Committee Meeting
April 25, 2008
Present: Jan Lansing Murphy (chair), Mary Elliott, Mark Hudson, John Yeager, Mark Dohnalek, Kathryn Falb Gutz, Mary Jo Huebner, Michael Mudlaff, Robyn Schwab.
Absent: Andrew Peternel, Rebecca Roberg
Cornell Staff: Sharon Grice, Jayne Swanson.
I. Admissions Report – Sharon Grice
A. Legacy Phoning – This fall there will be 80-100 alumni families to call. The call goes to the alumni parent of a potential student. The admissions office is considering targeting Sophomores and Juniors in high school as students are making their college selection earlier. As soon as we have the list of legacy students we will be contacting the alumni board asking for volunteers to make these calls. There was discussion of sending a hand written note first and then following with a phone call. Sharon will be giving us direction in the Fall
The number of enrolled legacies: 2008=12, 2007=13, 2006=26, 2005=13
B. Cornell Admission Recruitment Experience (CARE)
1. College Fairs – The admissions office attended 31 college fairs this year (18 fairs last year). Next year the target will be to attend 50 college fairs. Sharon will be sending out a list of cities where the fairs will be held in 2008-2009 and we will be looking for alumni to support staff at those fairs.
College Fairs (Fall and Spring):
California: 1 fair Michigan: 2 fairs
DC: 1 fair Minnesota: 2 fairs
Indiana: 3 fairs Missouri: 8 fairs
Kansas: 1 fair Nebraska: 1 fair
Kentucky: 1 fair Ohio: 2 fairs
Louisiana: 1 fair Oregon: 1 fair
Maryland: 4 fairs Tennessee: 2 fairs
Virginia: 1 fair
Total: 31
Counselor Travel: 700 High School visits
Interviews held in 45 cities
2. Receptions- Receptions were held in Denver, Minneapolis and Chicago. These are held for currently accepted students.
C. Alumni Profiles – The number of profiles on the site is 165. This continues to be an important tool for Admissions and a way for students to connect with alumni. Please go to http://cornellcollege.edu/admissions/forms/alumni.shtml. to post your profile. All alumni board members should have a profile up on the site. Sharon also has asked us to be aware of any changes with contact information on the profiles. If we see something that needs to be updated, please contact Sharon. Also, email your friends and encourage them to post their profile.
D. Summer Send-Offs – There were 2 summer send offs, in Chicago and Minneapolis in 2007. The events were hosted in Chicago (Dan & Holly Wilson - ’66 and ’65) with 20 students and their families, and Minneapolis (Ted Meads ’67) with 8 students and their families. In 2008, Admissions will probably be hosting a summer send off only in Chicago. They may be open to other cities depending on the Fall 2008 entering class.
E. Letter from Lisa Naaktgeboren—A letter from our Alumni Board President was sent to all 2012 admits in mid March. Lisa congratulated them on their admission and welcomed them to Cornell. She shared some of her Cornell experiences and talked about how her experience at Cornell affected her career path.
II. Career Services Report – Jayne Swanson
A. Externships –There were 22 students who participated in externships over Spring Break. Externships are a longer term job shadowing experience. Students are asked to list 3 locations where they will have housing and 3 areas of interests. Jayne then matches the student will sponsors. The alumni board is asked to write thank you letters to each of the externship sponsors. Jayne will be asking for the board’s assistance again next year to identify externship sponsors and contacts.
B. Sophomore Year Experience – A program designed to keep the sophomores engaged. RJ Holmes has managed the program the past year. There were 19 speakers at the Pathway Dinner Series this year. These dinners were limited to 20 sophomores each, with approximately 65-70 participating in those dinners. The speakers talked about their major(s), how to take advantage of what is offered at Cornell (internships, study abroad, close connections with faculty, etc) and how their major lead to their career path. The alumni board has been asked to write thank you letters to the speakers.
C. Career Services Program Speakers – Career Services also provided a list of alumni and friends who volunteered to participate in career related programs this year. The alumni board has been asked to write letters to these volunteers as well.
III. Other Alumni Involvement – ALUM CHUM is a mentoring program that pairs members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors with members of the Cornell Alumni Student Association (CASA). The members of CASA have already shown an interest in our alumni simply by choosing to be involved in their student organization and will likely be active alumni after they graduate. One real benefit of joining CASA is the prospect of getting to know some of Cornell’s alumni; those alumni, in turn, can be an invaluable resource on a variety of topics as well as great supporters of current students.
All Alumni Board members have been asked to participate in the Alum Chum program. Alum chums contact their student at various times during the year. They may send a note of encouragement during finals, a birthday card, job leads or general emails.
Respectfully submitted by Jan Lansing Murphy
Student Assistance Committee Chair
5/8/08
MINUTES
Cornell College Alumni Board of Directors
Student Assistance Committee Meeting
April 25, 2008
Present: Jan Lansing Murphy (chair), Mary Elliott, Mark Hudson, John Yeager, Mark Dohnalek, Kathryn Falb Gutz, Mary Jo Huebner, Michael Mudlaff, Robyn Schwab.
Absent: Andrew Peternel, Rebecca Roberg
Cornell Staff: Sharon Grice, Jayne Swanson.
I. Admissions Report – Sharon Grice
A. Legacy Phoning – This fall there will be 80-100 alumni families to call. The call goes to the alumni parent of a potential student. The admissions office is considering targeting Sophomores and Juniors in high school as students are making their college selection earlier. As soon as we have the list of legacy students we will be contacting the alumni board asking for volunteers to make these calls. There was discussion of sending a hand written note first and then following with a phone call. Sharon will be giving us direction in the Fall
The number of enrolled legacies: 2008=12, 2007=13, 2006=26, 2005=13
B. Cornell Admission Recruitment Experience (CARE)
1. College Fairs – The admissions office attended 31 college fairs this year (18 fairs last year). Next year the target will be to attend 50 college fairs. Sharon will be sending out a list of cities where the fairs will be held in 2008-2009 and we will be looking for alumni to support staff at those fairs.
College Fairs (Fall and Spring):
California: 1 fair Michigan: 2 fairs
DC: 1 fair Minnesota: 2 fairs
Indiana: 3 fairs Missouri: 8 fairs
Kansas: 1 fair Nebraska: 1 fair
Kentucky: 1 fair Ohio: 2 fairs
Louisiana: 1 fair Oregon: 1 fair
Maryland: 4 fairs Tennessee: 2 fairs
Virginia: 1 fair
Total: 31
Counselor Travel: 700 High School visits
Interviews held in 45 cities
2. Receptions- Receptions were held in Denver, Minneapolis and Chicago. These are held for currently accepted students.
C. Alumni Profiles – The number of profiles on the site is 165. This continues to be an important tool for Admissions and a way for students to connect with alumni. Please go to http://cornellcollege.edu/admissions/forms/alumni.shtml. to post your profile. All alumni board members should have a profile up on the site. Sharon also has asked us to be aware of any changes with contact information on the profiles. If we see something that needs to be updated, please contact Sharon. Also, email your friends and encourage them to post their profile.
D. Summer Send-Offs – There were 2 summer send offs, in Chicago and Minneapolis in 2007. The events were hosted in Chicago (Dan & Holly Wilson - ’66 and ’65) with 20 students and their families, and Minneapolis (Ted Meads ’67) with 8 students and their families. In 2008, Admissions will probably be hosting a summer send off only in Chicago. They may be open to other cities depending on the Fall 2008 entering class.
E. Letter from Lisa Naaktgeboren—A letter from our Alumni Board President was sent to all 2012 admits in mid March. Lisa congratulated them on their admission and welcomed them to Cornell. She shared some of her Cornell experiences and talked about how her experience at Cornell affected her career path.
II. Career Services Report – Jayne Swanson
A. Externships –There were 22 students who participated in externships over Spring Break. Externships are a longer term job shadowing experience. Students are asked to list 3 locations where they will have housing and 3 areas of interests. Jayne then matches the student will sponsors. The alumni board is asked to write thank you letters to each of the externship sponsors. Jayne will be asking for the board’s assistance again next year to identify externship sponsors and contacts.
B. Sophomore Year Experience – A program designed to keep the sophomores engaged. RJ Holmes has managed the program the past year. There were 19 speakers at the Pathway Dinner Series this year. These dinners were limited to 20 sophomores each, with approximately 65-70 participating in those dinners. The speakers talked about their major(s), how to take advantage of what is offered at Cornell (internships, study abroad, close connections with faculty, etc) and how their major lead to their career path. The alumni board has been asked to write thank you letters to the speakers.
C. Career Services Program Speakers – Career Services also provided a list of alumni and friends who volunteered to participate in career related programs this year. The alumni board has been asked to write letters to these volunteers as well.
III. Other Alumni Involvement – ALUM CHUM is a mentoring program that pairs members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors with members of the Cornell Alumni Student Association (CASA). The members of CASA have already shown an interest in our alumni simply by choosing to be involved in their student organization and will likely be active alumni after they graduate. One real benefit of joining CASA is the prospect of getting to know some of Cornell’s alumni; those alumni, in turn, can be an invaluable resource on a variety of topics as well as great supporters of current students.
All Alumni Board members have been asked to participate in the Alum Chum program. Alum chums contact their student at various times during the year. They may send a note of encouragement during finals, a birthday card, job leads or general emails.
Respectfully submitted by Jan Lansing Murphy
Student Assistance Committee Chair
5/8/08